A Portrait of Emily Read Online Free Page B

grimly at Joey. The man avoided the eye contact, a faint tint coloring his cheeks.
    “All right Joey. Now tell me the truth. I’m not buying any of that hogwash.”
    The man’s eyes widened in surprise. “You think I’m lying to you?”
    “I know you are. I know you’re way too smart to be caught in a deal like that. You might need money, but it’s not because some “syndicate” is after your hide. Try telling me the truth, it might just help.”
    “Oh ho, Mr. Clever who thinks he knows everything.” Joey got up from Jeff’s desk and paced about the office again. Jeff watched him in silence, figuring Joey was rethinking his strategy. “Okay,” he said finally. “You win, there’s no one after me, but I need some money quickly.”
    “Get a job then.”
    “I have a job, smart-ass. My own business. I have a photographic studio in LA.”
    Jeff raised his eyebrows in surprise. He knew Joey had been a talented photographer and Jeff had urged him to take advantage of his gift, but at the time he hadn’t been interested.
    “So you’re finally doing something you’re good at.”
    “Yes, but now I’m in trouble with the landlord. I can’t pay the lease—he wants six months in advance because I’ve been late so many times.”
    Jeff’s mouth twitched. “The rent is five hundred thousand dollars?”
    “No, of course not. But it’s two thousand a month and I haven’t got it.”
    “Have you tried negotiating with him? Say a couple of months in advance?”
    “I don’t have a couple of week s.”
    Jeff looked at his ex-lover and slowly shook his head. How typical of Joey to come busting in like this, giving him a song and dance about Puerto Rican syndicates and threats on his life, when all he needed was a bill paid off. He’d lived in Joey’s over the top world long enough to know he was an inveterate liar who would spin any tale to get what he wanted—the more bizarre, the better—and if he thought he could actually convince Jeff to come up with five hundred thousand of Peter’s money, he’d go for it.
    “Where have you been, Joey?” Jeff asked quietly. “You left me without a word, without any idea of what might have happened to you. Do you know that I have imagined you dead after all this time? Now you barge in here, lying through your teeth, demanding money, and with not one word of apology.”
    Joey looked downcast. “I am truly sorry, Jeff. I was just… scared of the commitment you wanted from me.”
    “Bullshit. You just wanted out. It had run its course for you and you wanted out. Plain and simple.”
    “I can’t fool you anymore, eh Jeff?” Joey slid his body onto Jeff’s lap and began kissing his face. “But I still find you very sexy…”
    “Cut it out ,” Jeff roared.
    Joey jumped to his feet laughing. “All right amigo, I get the message. You love Blondie, with or without all his money.”
    “That’s enough, Joey.” Jeff’s expression shut his ex-lover up momentarily. “I’ll see if I can raise enough for you to pay your landlord. But I’m not asking Peter for it. How much money do you have?”
    “A thousand dollars, but I have a car payment in a week’s time.”
    “Call your landlord. Ask him if two or three months rent will do it for the time being”
    “Thank you, Jeff.”
    “And for God’s sake, cut out the game playing.”
    “Oh, you used to love the games we played… remember ?”
    “That was different.”
    Joey looked at him through half closed eyes, a little smile playing about his lips. “Not so different, really.” He took a step closer. “If you would just relax and let me in again.”
    Jeff gazed into Joey’s beautiful eyes and, despite himself, he felt a tremor somewhere in the pit of his stomach. He stood up quickly. “Let me have your phone number, Joey.” His voice sounded thick in his own ears.
    “Sure, here’s my card.” Joey was looking at him, a small smile of triumph on his face.
    Jeff studied the card. “How did you raise the